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KDRV's Fisher will move to Vegas She was hired here fresh out of college By KATHY MORGAN Beth Fisher is about to take a gamble. And Rogue Valley television viewers are the losers. The popular KDRV Channel 12 news anchor is leaving Thursday. After she signs off, she'll move to Las Vegas to become the weekend anchor at NBC affiliate KVBC. "It was a tough decision," the 27-year-old newswoman said. "I'm from Oregon and it's home for me. But I knew for my career I had to move to a larger city and a larger market." In Vegas she'll not only serve as a weekend anchor, she'll be a reporter Monday through Wednesday. "I'm excited to get back to reporting," she said. "It should be a wonderful experience and something I need to do again. I'm really looking forward to it." Others dread her departure. "We're very sorry to see her go," said Renard Maiuri, station manager at KDRV. "She is just so sharp and such a good journalist. She has that special thing that allows her to connect to viewers." Maiuri, then news director, hired her five years ago as an intern fresh out of Oregon's Pacific University. "She just excelled. I never imagined two years later she would be the anchor," he said. "But after I saw her work, I knew we had someone special." And she also won the hearts of those she works on-air with. "I am very sad for us and I am very happy for her," said Scott Lewis, meteorologist. "We have so much fun when we are in the newsroom together. She's a little nuts." Lewis shared a little-known fact: "Beth goes around barefoot or wearing crazy animal slippers even while on the air." But Maiuri and Lewis agree that despite her quirks, Fisher is above all a professional. "Beth has really defined the anchor position," Lewis said. "She came in as an intern and she has rocked. When there's big news or breaking news, she keeps us all together. She'll be hard to replace. " Maiuri and KDRV News Director Julie Akins are the two charged with filling Fisher's position. "It's a nationwide search," Maiuri said. "It's an important position. We want to keep our viewers." For the past decade, KDRV has consistently won the ratings battle for local news, drawing about 20 percent of the viewing population to its 6 p.m. broadcast -- twice that of its local competition. But they've lost anchors before. Tracy Mitchell left in 1987, and Sally Holliday and Kam Johnson also moved on. "Every time one quits I get heart palpitations," Maiuri said. "But we expect it. The Rogue Valley market doesn't pay as well as larger markets. That doesn't mean we're not going to miss her." Melanie Wingo will probably do most of the anchoring until a replacement is found, Maiuri said. There is no specific time frame for announcing Fisher's replacement. "We've got to wait for the one with the right stuff," Maiuri said. "We have to be certain." One thing is certain, Fisher will say good-bye Thursday. "I have to admit I'm getting a little sentimental," Fisher said. She does have one final word for her viewers: "Thanks for a wonderful five years. You've been so warm and friendly. I can't imagine a better place to be. I wish you all luck.'' What else would someone moving to Vegas say? Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA